Characterization of HERG potassium channel inhibition using CoMSiA 3D QSAR and homology modeling approaches

Bioorg Med Chem Lett. 2003 May 19;13(10):1829-35. doi: 10.1016/s0960-894x(03)00196-3.

Abstract

A data set consisting of twenty-two sertindole analogues and ten structurally diverse inhibitors, spanning a wide range in potency, was analyzed using CoMSiA. A homology model of HERG was constructed from the crystal structure of the open MthK potassium channel. A complementary relationship between our CoMSiA and homology models is apparent when the long inhibitor axis is oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the pore, with the tail region pointed toward the selectivity filter. The key elements of the pharmacophore, the CoMSiA and the homology model are: (1) The hydrophobic feature optimally consists of an aromatic group that is capable of engaging in pi-stacking with a Phe656 side chain. Optionally, a second aromatic or hydrophobic group present in some inhibitors may contact an additional Phe656 side chain. (2) The basic nitrogen appears to undergo a pi-cation interaction with Tyr652. (3) The pore diameter (12A+), and depth of the selectivity loop relative to the intracellular opening, act as constraints on the conformation-dependent inhibitor dimensions.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acids, Aromatic
  • Cation Transport Proteins*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins*
  • ERG1 Potassium Channel
  • Ether-A-Go-Go Potassium Channels
  • Humans
  • Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
  • Imidazoles / chemical synthesis
  • Imidazoles / pharmacology
  • Indoles / chemical synthesis
  • Indoles / pharmacology
  • Inhibitory Concentration 50
  • Models, Molecular
  • Potassium Channel Blockers / chemical synthesis*
  • Potassium Channel Blockers / chemistry
  • Potassium Channel Blockers / pharmacology
  • Potassium Channels / chemistry*
  • Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated*
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Conformation
  • Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship*
  • Structural Homology, Protein*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Trans-Activators*
  • Transcriptional Regulator ERG

Substances

  • Amino Acids, Aromatic
  • Cation Transport Proteins
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • ERG protein, human
  • ERG1 Potassium Channel
  • Ether-A-Go-Go Potassium Channels
  • Imidazoles
  • Indoles
  • KCNH2 protein, human
  • KCNH6 protein, human
  • Potassium Channel Blockers
  • Potassium Channels
  • Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated
  • Trans-Activators
  • Transcriptional Regulator ERG
  • sertindole